Rochester teen honored at state Scout luncheon

fosters.com

Writer

Posted Apr. 25, 2013 at 3:15 AM

Posted Apr. 25, 2013 at 3:15 AM

CONCORD — Girl Scouting, which celebrated 100 years of success in 2012, is continuing its outreach in its second century through the ToGetHerThere campaign. The critical goal: achieving gender-balanced leadership in one generation, to benefit all of society.

At a fund-raising luncheon on April 12 at the Capitol Center for the Arts, several members of the Granite State’s “First in the Nation” all-female delegation spoke to an audience of 200 about building female leadership for a better world. Each of these “leading women” was a Girl Scout.

Cadette Girl Scout Kelsey Fleming, 16, of Rochester, was a guest of honor. She wrote the winning essay for “How I’m Getting There.” Fleming noted that Girl Scouting challenges her in many ways, from camp to climbing adventures and meeting new people, but it has made her stronger.

“I have tried so many things that I would not have done otherwise,” Fleming said. “Because I have figured out that I can do anything I set my mind to, I can’t wait to see what I can accomplish in the future.”

Governor Maggie Hassan lauded the “all hands on deck” attitude of Granite Staters and said the strength of Girl Scouting is in the hundreds of programs they offer girls so they can make a difference in the world. “When we support each other, we all grow stronger,” Governor Hassan said.

Recalling her time as a Girl Scout 45 years ago, Hassan said it was “incredibly important to me, teaching me confidence, that if I practiced at something I could get better, and it taught me that when we come together we can solve problems.”

Senator Kelly Ayotte noted that Girl Scouting leads to “a lifetime of community service and achievement,” where girls learn to work as a team.

“I’ve seen the power of the Girl Scouts,” Senator Ayotte said. “They empower young women and girls to be everything they can be.

“But Girl Scouting also shows girls that they can get into any field they aspire to, that girls can do anything. That is the great empowering message of Girl Scouting.”

Via video, Senator Jeanne Shaheen said, “I am proud to be a Girl Scout myself, and it is no coincidence that so many female Senators and Congresswomen are Girl Scouts as well. Only 17 percent of Congress is female, but 70 percent of women in Congress are former Girl Scouts.

“With the Girl Scouts’ help, women in America have made great progress towards equality. The Girl Scouts encourage young women to pursue their dreams—no matter how high.”ToGetHerThere is a national cause campaign that is focused on raising money and awareness to overcome the obstacles that hinder young women from achieving and leading in all fields, from technology and science to business and industry and public service. Together, we will get her there.

Donations from sponsorships and ticket sales will allow Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains to continue to offer leadership programming in areas such as science, technology, engineering and math (STEM subjects), environmental leadership, financial literacy, teamwork, public service and healthy living.